The Houston Rockets (9-18) travel to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Wednesday to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-12). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Cavaliers come into this game off an 11-point home win over the injured Miami Heat. The Cavs have won their last four straight games after losses to the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks.
They look to continue that streak behind some of the best defensive play in the league. The Cavs are easily the best covering team in the NBA this season at 22-5-2 against the spread (ATS) and are 5-0-1 ATS as home favorites.
The Rockets have won eight of their last 10 games following a 1-16 start and are coming off a massive road victory over the Atlanta Hawks Monday. They’re 15-11-1 ATS this season and 8-5-1 ATS as road underdogs.
Rockets at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:23 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +340 (bet $100 to win $340) | Cavaliers -475 (bet $475 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +8.5 (-107) | Cavaliers -8.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rockets at Cavaliers key injuries
Rockets
- G Jalen Green (hamstring) out
- G Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) out
- G Eric Gordon (groin) out
- C Christian Wood (knee) questionable
Cavaliers
- F Evan Mobley (hip) questionable
- G Collin Sexton (knee) out
Rockets at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 108, Rockets 97
Money line
PASS on the money line. The Rockets are coming off a win in a game that they entered as +440 underdogs and I’m staying far away from the Cavaliers money line, despite thinking it’s the correct side, because of Houston’s recent success.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the CAVALIERS -8.5 (-115).
While I’d stay away from the money line here the Cavs have been a covering machine.
They cover 81.5% of their games with the next closest team at 66.7%. While the spread is relatively large, the Cavaliers rank third in defensive rating.
Most of the Rockets’ recent success has been on the backs of Wood and Gordon, one of which is questionable and the other out. Gordon is averaging 18.3 points per game on 52% shooting and 48% from 3-point range.
That’s not easily replaceable and with his absence combined with the Cavs’ play at home, I’m taking Cleveland here.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 217.5 (-110) as the Rockets are without key players and the Cavaliers are that good defensively.
The Cavs’ opponents average just 101.9 points per game. It should be tough for Houston to get easy buckets with C Jarrett Allen playing like an All-Star caliber center and having complete control of the paint.
The Rockets rank dead last in turnovers and the Cavaliers rank 21st in pace. Even if the Cavs can cause turnovers, they’ll likely not push the pace, making the Under the better play here.
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